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What is an annuity?

Nationwide® annuities are designed to help you grow your retirement income and protect you from outliving it. They’re long-term contracts from an insurance company where you invest your money. In return for your investment, you get income in the form of regular payments through annuitization or a guaranteed lifetime income benefit that is available at an additional cost.

Flexibility to choose

At Nationwide, we offer a broad range of competitive annuities. That allows you to find a solution whether you want to accumulate assets, generate income for retirement or leave a legacy for loved ones.

Investing involves risk and your investments may lose value. All guarantees and protections are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company, but the guarantees do not apply to variable accounts, which are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Quick annuity comparison chart

Benefit Variable Registered index-linked Fixed Immediate Fixed indexed
Guaranteed income for life for you ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Guaranteed income for life for your spouse ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Cost-of-living adjustments ✔
Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ✔ ✔
Protection against market losses ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Access to your funds, up to a specified limit ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Potential to leave a legacy to heirs ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Benefits of an annuity

piggy bank

Offers another way to save

Annuities can help you save more for retirement after you max out other tax-favored investments.

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Lets you catch up

Annuities can help you catch up on retirement savings when you have less time to save.

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Provides growth potential

Annuities offer the potential for tax-deferred growth and an income stream for life.

Comprehensive service and support

At Nationwide, we offer you education, resources and secure online access to your annuity, so you’re able to make informed decisions with your financial professional.

Annuity education

Get straight talk about the various features these products offer.

Tools & calculators

Use our planners, analyzers and calculators to help make investment decisions.

Annuity forms

Get a form for a beneficiary change or to set up or change a recurring electronic funds transfer.

Annuity claims

If you’re the beneficiary of a Nationwide annuity, we'll help you start your claim.

Related topics & resources

What is an annuity?
The value of annuities
Finding the right fit
Making a withdrawal
More annuity resources
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Call 1-877-245-0761 (sales); 1-800-848-6331 (service)
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Read this important information

Variable annuities are sold by prospectus. Both the product and underlying fund prospectuses can be obtained by visiting Nationwide.com/prospectus or by calling 1-800-848-6331. Before investing, carefully read and consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other important information contained in this and the underlying funds’ prospectuses.

A fixed indexed annuity offers returns based on the changes in a securities index, such as the S&P 500® Composite Stock Price Index. Indexed annuity contracts also offer a specified minimum that the contract value will not fall below, regardless of index performance. After a period of time, the insurance company will make payments to you under the terms of your contract.

A fixed indexed annuity is not a stock market investment and does not directly participate in any stock or equity investment.

Before deciding on an annuity, you should consider your income needs, risk tolerance and investment objectives. Your investment professional can help you decide if annuities are a suitable investment and can help you pick a Nationwide® annuity.

You may be charged a penalty if you take your money out early, if you're not yet 59½ (additional 10% tax penalty), or both. Variable annuities have fees and charges that include mortality and expense, administrative fees, contract fees and the expense of the underlying investment options.